Cells exhibiting neuronal progenitor cell characteristics and methods of making them

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are cells exhibiting neuronal progenitor cell characteristics, and methods of making them from marrow adherent stem cells by regulating cellular pathways in the marrow adherent stem cells that are associated with glial transdifferentiation of the marrow adherent stem cells.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/100,664 (filedApr. 7, 2005), which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/561,613 (filed Apr. 12, 2004); the disclosuresof which are incorporated by reference herein, in their entireties, forall purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cells exhibiting neuronal progenitor cellcharacteristics, and methods of making them from marrow adherent stemcells by regulating cellular pathways in the marrow adherent stem cellsthat are associated with glial transdifferentiation of the marrowadherent stem cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A limitation in the research and treatment of Central Nervous System(CNS) or Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) diseases is the conventionalrecognition that terminally differentiated neurons are significantlylimited in their ability to proliferate. Accordingly, any treatment ofCNS or PNS diseases that requires transplant of terminallydifferentiated neurons is difficult to accomplish.

One proposed approach to overcoming this difficulty has been to culturelarge numbers of mitotic cells exhibiting neuronal progenitor cellcharacteristics (“CPCs”). Such cells could theoretically differentiatein vivo into neurons that could function in the treatment of CNS and/orPNS diseases. Alternatively, CPCs might be differentiated in vitro intoneurons and then transplanted into patients. However, such CPCs are rareand difficult to isolate from donors. Therefore, conventionally,researchers have attempted to obtain CPCs from treated embryonic andfetal stem cells (collectively referred to as “embryonic stem cells”hereinafter).

Embryonic stem cells, which are pluripotent cells, have been used togenerate a large variety of tissue types, and could be a source of CPCs.I. Weissman, Stem cells: units of development, units of regeneration,and units in evolution (Review). Cell 100, 157-168 (2000). However, theuse of embryonic stem cells raises a number of ethical concerns, and sois a disfavored source of stem cells for production of CPCs.Additionally, embryonic stem cells can be tumorigenic, which generatessafety concerns as to any transplant procedure that could potentiallyresult in the delivery of embryonic stem cells to a patient such ascreation of a CPC graft from embryonic stem cells.

Some researchers have attempted to utilize other types of stem cells,such as mesenchymal stem cells in the production of CPCs. United StatesPatent Application 20030003090 of Prockop, et al., filed Jan. 2, 2003,and entitled “Directed in vitro differentiation of marrow stromal cellsinto neural cell progenitors” discloses that the expression levels ofboth NSE and vimentin were increased in human mesenchymal stem cellsafter their incubation with 0.5 millimolar IBMX and 1 millimolar dbcAMP.The increase in NSE and vimentin mRNAs coincided with the appearance ofneural cells in the cultures. However, Prockop et al. reported thatthere was no change in the expression level of either MAP1B or TuJ-1.Since NSE, MAP1B, and TuJ-1 are early neuron-characteristic markers, andvimentin is an early marker for glia, Prockop et al. suggested that thehMSCs transdifferentiated in vitro into some early progenitors of eitherneurons or glia. However, the early progenitor cells of Prockop may beundesirable for use because they seem to display a very immatureneuronal phenotype whose clinical efficacy is not well understood.

Accordingly, there is a scarcity of conventionally available andsuitable sources of CPCs for use, for example, in the research andtreatment of CNS or PNS diseases. Further, there is a scarcity ofmethods that can be used to produce such CPCs in a suitable mannersuitable for use. What are needed are methods and compositions thatovercome such problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, the invention relates to a method of producing cellsexhibiting neuronal progenitor cell characteristics from materialcomprising marrow adherent stem cells, the method comprising: regulatingcellular pathways in the marrow adherent stem cells that are associatedwith glial transdifferentiation of the marrow adherent stem cells;wherein the cellular pathways are sufficiently regulated to induce atleast a portion of the marrow adherent stem cells to transdifferentiateinto cells exhibiting neuronal progenitor cell characteristics; and withthe proviso that the regulating does not comprise transfection of themarrow adherent stem cells with notch intracellular domain.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing cellsexhibiting neuronal progenitor cell characteristics comprising:incubating marrow adherent stem cells with a glial regulating agent inan amount sufficient to induce at least a portion of the marrow adherentstem cells to transdifferentiate into cells exhibiting neuronalprogenitor cell characteristics; with the proviso that the interactingdoes not comprise transfection of the marrow adherent stem cells withnotch intracellular domain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has unexpectedly and surprisingly discovered that theproblems and limitations noted above can be overcome by practicing theinvention disclosed herein. The present invention addresses producingCPCs from marrow adherent stem cells (MASCs) by regulating cellularpathways in MASCs that are associated with glial transdifferentiation ofthe MASCs. Ways to make and use the invention are disclosed herein.

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent or patent application was specificallyand individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes. The discussion of references herein isintended merely to summarize the assertions made by their authors and noadmission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. Applicantsreserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the citedreferences.

Cells exhibiting neuronal progenitor cell characteristics (“CPCs”) aredefined as, for the purposes of this invention, being cells that aremitotic, express nestin and other cell markers specific for neuralprecursor/neural progenitor cells, and are derived from MASCs. CPCs candifferentiate into neurons, glia, and oligodendrocytes, and precursorsof any of the foregoing. CPCs can be derived from MASCs according tomethods disclosed herein. In an embodiment, human CPCs are EfnB2+,CD90−, and PDGF receptor beta−. These markers may be used to separateCPCs from MASCs using FACS following glial transdifferentiation of theMASCs according to the present invention. Suitable methods of handlingCPCs are known conventionally, including those methods disclosed, forexample, in published United States patent application 20020012903 toGoldman et al.

Generally, CPCs according to the invention may be produced by regulatingcellular pathways in MASCs that are associated with glialtransdifferentiation of the MASCs, with the cellular pathways beingsufficiently regulated to induce at least a portion of the MASCs totransdifferentiate into CPCs.

A wide variety of regulating methods may be useful in the practice ofthis invention. These include, but are not limited to, modification ofthe medium and conditions in which cells are grown, if grown ex vivo;modifying the tissue environment in which the MASCs are present, ifgrown in vivo; or incubation of the MASCs with glial regulating agents.The precise manner of regulation does not matter for the purposes ofthis invention, so long as glial transdifferentiation of the MASCs iseffectively regulated, thus allowing differentiation of the MASCs intoCPCs. Generally, the regulation of cellular pathways in MASCs that areassociated with glial transdifferentiation of the MASCs takes placeunder conditions that are appropriate to maintain any MASCs or CPCs in amitotic and viable state. Such conditions are known to one of skill inthe art, and may be found in, for example, M. Kallos et al., Large-scaleexpansion of mammalian neural stem cells: a review. Med Biol Eng Comput.2003 May; 41(3):271-82. Suitable conditions and techniques also can befound elsewhere in the literature both for cell culture and in vivoenvironments.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, regulation of the cellularpathways in MASCs that are associated with glial transdifferentiation ofthe MASCs may be accomplished by incubating the MASCs with glialregulating agents. In a more preferred embodiment, regulation of thecellular pathways in MASCs that are associated with glialtransdifferentiation of the MASCs may be accomplished by incubating theMASCs with glial regulating agents in amounts sufficient to induce atleast a portion of the MASCs to transdifferentiate into CPCs.Incubations in the context of the present invention may involveculturing MASCs in the presence of glial regulating agents with theintent that the glial regulating agents either interact with MASC cellsurface receptors or are transported into the interior of the MASCs tointeract with internal cellular pathways. Such transportation may bepassive, such as diffusive transport, or active, such as through activetransporters or a mixture of the two. In vitro incubations may beperformed in a conventional manner, for instance incubating cultures ofMASCs in alpha-MEM, or similar media, to which glial regulating agent(s)are added. Suitable incubation techniques may be found generally in theliterature, including for example M Kallos et al., Large-scale expansionof mammalian neural stem cells: a review. Med Biol Eng Comput. 2003 May;41(3):271-82. Incubations may also take place in an in vivo environment,in which case glial regulating agents according to the invention may beadministered either systemically or locally, and using conventionalmethods.

In a preferred embodiment of incubation, if the glial regulating agentis a protein or peptide, the method of incubation may be a transfectionof the DNA coding for that protein or peptide into the MASCs.Transfections may be performed using commercially available transfectionprotocols, such as the Lipofectamine™ 2000 system available fromInvitrogen, or the Effectene™ transfection system available from Qiagen,or other conventional transfection protocols. In another preferredembodiment of incubation, if the glial regulating agent is a protein orpeptide, the method of incubation may be viral delivery of the glialregulating agent, using conventional viral vectors, such as Lentiviralvector systems (BLOCK-iT™ Lentiviral RNAi Expression System, Invitrogen)for stable expression and Adenoviral vector systems (BLOCK-iT™Adenoviral RNAi Expression System, Invitrogen) for transient expression.

The incubations can take place at various times: serially, in parallelor combinations of serial and parallel incubations of the MASCs withvarious glial regulating agent(s).

In embodiments of the invention, there is the proviso that regulatingcellular pathways in the MASCs that are associated with glialtransdifferentiation of the MASCs does not comprise transfection of theMASCs with the intracellular domain of the Notch gene. In embodiments ofthe invention, there is the proviso that incubating the MASCs with glialregulating agents does not comprise transfection of the MASCs with theintracellular domain of the Notch gene.

Marrow adherent stem cells (MASCs) are defined as being, for thepurposes of this invention, stem cells that are conventionallyrecognized as differentiating into several types of cells foundprimarily in connective tissues, including but not limited to,osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and myocytes. MASCs specificallyexclude embryonic stem cells and fetal stem cells. MASCs may be obtainedfrom a wide variety of animals, including but not limited to humans, andother mammals such as rats, mice, primates, pigs, cows, and sheep. MASCsmay be obtained from a variety of tissues; preferred sources comprisebone marrow and cord blood. Useful sources for MASCs, and methods ofobtaining them are described in Example 1 below, and elsewhere herein.In an embodiment, human MASCs useful in the practice of this inventionexpress CD29, and CD90, but are negative for CD15, CD34, CD11b/c, CD31,CD45 and von Willebrand Factor.

In an embodiment, MASCs may be isolated from cord blood using techniquesdescribed in the literature. For instance, C. Campagnoli et al.,Identification of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in humanfirst-trimester fetal blood, liver, and bone marrow. 1: Blood. 2001October 15; 98(8):2396-402, describes methods generally useful inobtaining fetal blood MASCs. In A. Erices et al., Mesenchymal progenitorcells in human umbilical cord blood. 1: Br J Haematol. 2000 April;109(1):235-42, there was described methods generally useful in obtainingMASCs from cord blood. L. Hou et al., Induction of umbilical cord bloodmesenchymal stem cells into neuron-like cells in vitro. Int J Hematol.2003 October; 78(3):256-61, describes methods generally useful inobtaining purifying, and expanding human umbilical cord blood MASCs.

Glial regulating agents are defined as being, for the purposes of thisinvention, substances that, among other characteristics, possess thecharacteristic of inhibiting transdifferentiation of MASCs into glialcells and promoting their transdifferentiation into CPCs. Glialregulating agents may act through a variety of different mechanisms todirect MASCs away from the glial fate. For instance, pro-neural basichelix-loop-helix transcription factors such as Mash 1, Math 1 andneurogenin 1 are believed to be activators of neuronal gene expression.

Proneural genes are believed to drive neuronal transdifferentiation ofMASCs while inhibiting glial transdifferentiation. One mechanism bywhich glial transdifferentiation may be inhibited is through theregulation of STAT-mediated signal transduction. Signal transduction bySTAT is believed to be triggered by phosphorylation which is believed tobe catalyzed by the Janus family of tyrosine kinases (JAK). Inhibitionof the JAK-STAT signal transduction therefore may regulate glialtransdifferentiation pathways and promote the neuronal fate of MASCs.

Glial regulating agents according to the invention may compriseinhibitors or antagonists or agents that interfere with the signalingpathways for gliogenic factors. Glial regulating agents may alsocomprise agonists for neurogenesis, including neurogenic factors. Use ofthese agonists or factors may negatively control gliogenesis of MASCs inthe practice of this invention. Glial regulating agents according to thepractice of this invention may comprise conventional forms oftherapeutic molecules, including but not limited to small molecules,peptides, and whole or portions of gene products.

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, JAK/STAT inhibitors, includinginhibitors of STAT1 and STAT3. In certain embodiments, such JAK/STATinhibitors may comprise RNAi for gene silencing of the JAK/STAT pathway,antisense oligonucleotides to down regulate the JAK/STAT pathway, or thesmall molecule JAK inhibitor4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline. Additional JAK/STATinhibitors are disclosed in United States Patent Application 20040209799of George Vasios, published Oct. 21, 2004; and United States PatentApplication 20040052762 of Hua Yu et al., published Mar. 18, 2004, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, in theirentireties, for the purposes of disclosing and describing JAK/STATinhibitors.

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, antagonists of BMP2 or 7 (bonemorphogenic protein). Such antagonists may comprise whole or portions ofgene products from genes expressing Noggin, Chordin, Follistatin, sonichedgehog (SHH), or agonists of these genes.

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, Hes inhibitors, including but notlimited to Hes 1 and/or Hes 5 inhibitors. In certain embodiments, suchHes inhibitors may comprise RNAi for gene silencing of Hes, or antisenseoligonucleotides to down regulate Hes.

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, inhibitors of Id-1. See S. Tzeng etal., Id1, Id2, and Id3 gene expression in neural cells duringdevelopment. Glia. 1998 December; 24(4):372-81. In certain embodiments,such Id-1 inhibitors may comprise RNAi for gene silencing of Id-1, orantisense oligonucleotides to down regulate Id-1.

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, inhibitors of mammalian homologs ofDrosophila glide/gcm (glial cells missing), including but not limited toGcm1 (murine) or GCMB (human). See Y. Iwasaki et al., The potential toinduce glial differentiation is conserved between Drosophila andmammalian glial cells missing genes. Development. 2003 December;130(24):6027-35. Epub 2003 Oct. 22; and M. Kammerer et al., GCMB, asecond human homolog of the fly glide/gcm gene. Cytogenet Cell Genet.1999; 84(1-2):43-7.). In certain embodiments, such glide/gcm homologinhibitors may comprise RNAi for gene silencing of glide/gcm homologs(such as Gcm1(murine) or GCMB (human)), or antisense oligonucleotides todown regulate glide/gcm homologs (such as Gcm1(murine) or GCMB (human)).

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, inhibitors of Sox9, which may be atranscription factor for oligodendrocyte lineage. See C. Stolt et al.,The Sox9 transcription factor determines glial fate choice in thedeveloping spinal cord. Genes Dev. 2003 July 1; 17(13):1677-89.). Incertain embodiments, such Sox9 inhibitors may comprise RNAi for genesilencing of Sox9, or antisense oligonucleotides to down regulate Sox9.

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, inhibitors of Neurogenin3, which may bea transcription factor for gliogenesis. In certain embodiments, suchNeurogenin3 inhibitors may comprise RNAi for gene silencing ofNeurogenin3, or antisense oligonucleotides to down regulate Neurogenin3.

In an embodiment, glial regulating agents according to the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, inhibitors of ciliary neurotrophicfactor (CNTF). In certain embodiments, such CNTF inhibitors may compriseRNAi for gene silencing of CNTF, or antisense oligonucleotides to downregulate CNTF.

In certain embodiments, glial regulating agents may comprise whole orportions of gene products from genes expressing Wnt1, which stronglyinhibits gliogenesis. See K. Tang et al., Wnt-1 promotes neuronaldifferentiation and inhibits gliogenesis in P19 cells. Biochem BiophysRes Commun. 2002 April 26; 293 (1):167-73. Whole or portions of geneproducts from genes expressing Wnt1 may be administered by transfectionor other conventional methods, such as gene therapy methods includingviral vectors.

In certain embodiments, glial regulating agents may comprise whole orportions of gene products from genes expressing a subset of neural basichelix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors that play instructive roles duringneurogenesis or are expressed in proliferating CPCs. Such glialregulating agents may comprise whole or portions of gene products fromgenes expressing Neurogenin1, Mash1, Math1, Math6, or NeuroD. Whole orportions of gene products from genes expressing the subset of neuralbasic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors, including but not limited toNeurogenin1, Mash1, Math1, Math6, or NeuroD, may be administered bytransfection or other conventional methods, such as gene therapy methodsincluding viral vectors.

Additionally, glial regulating agents may be administered singly or incombination. In a preferable embodiment, if a combination of glialregulating agents is used in the practice of the invention, then glialregulating agents that act on different glial regulating pathways may beselected. This may serve to enhance the overall glial regulating effectof the glial regulating agents.

For the purposes of this invention, isolating CPCs comprises isolatingCPCs from non-CPC cells in a sample, such as MASCs that have nottransdifferentiated into CPCs. Such isolation may comprise a singleisolation or multiple isolations. If multiple isolations are to beperformed, different types or techniques of isolation may be preferablyused, as such different types or techniques of isolation may enhanceisolation results. A wide variety of isolation methods are useful in thepractice of this invention. Examples of such isolation methods include,but are not limited to flow cytometry (aka FACS sorting), magneticseparation techniques, and visual sorting. Immunocytochemistry may alsobe used in instances where cell viability is not critical.

FACS sorting can be performed using conventional FACS equipment andprotocols with antibodies that are specific to epitopes associated withone or more characteristics of CPCs. One such epitope may be EfnB2 inthe case of human CPCs. N. Ivanova et al., A stem cell molecularsignature. Science 298(5593):601-4 (Oct. 18, 2002). Antibodiesadditionally useful in the practice of the invention, although notnecessarily for FACS sorting, comprise anti-CD15, anti-CD29, anti-CD34,anti-CD90, anti-CD31, anti-CD45, anti-CD11b/c, and anti-von Willebrandfactor. Cell populations FACS equipment useful in the practice of thisinvention include, but are not limited to, a FACScalibur™ analyzer withCellQuest™ software (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.), or FACSequipment available from Guava Technologies (Hayward, Calif.).

Alternatively, isolation may be performed using magnetic separationtechniques, such as the BioMag™ protocols and reagents, available in kitform from Qiagen. Immunocytochemistry may be another separationtechnique useful in the practice of this invention; usefulImmunocytochemical methods are described in M. Dezawa et al., Sciaticnerve regeneration in rats induced by transplantation of in vitrodifferentiated bone-marrow stromal cells. Eur. J. Neurosci. 14,1771-1776 (2001). Immunocytochemical inspections may be made under aconfocal laser scanning microscope, such as the Radians 2000 (Bio-Rad,Hertfordshire, UK). Conventional visual cell sorting techniques may beused in the practice of this invention.

Neurons are defined as, for the purposes of this invention, being any ofthe impulse-conducting cells that constitute the brain, spinal column,and nerves, consisting of a nucleated cell body with one or moredendrites and a single axon. Biochemically, neurons are characterized byreaction with antibodies for neurofilament-M, beta3-tubulin, and TuJ-1.These reactions may be used to isolate neurons or cells exhibiting oneor more characteristics of neurons using techniques such as FACSsorting. Neural cells are also characterized by secretingneurotransmitters, neurotransmitter synthetases orneurotransmitter-related proteins, for example neuropeptide Y andsubstance P.

Neurotrophic agents are defined as being, for the purposes of thisinvention, substances that, among other characteristics, possess thecharacteristic of causing or promoting the differentiation of CPCs intoneurons or cells that exhibit one or more characteristics of neurons.Neurotrophic agents useful in the practice of this invention comprisebut are not limited to basic-fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), ciliaryneurotrophic factor (CNTF), and forskolin (FSK). Neurotrophic agents maybe combined with the CPCs of the present invention using cell handlingtechniques known in the art. Preferred methods may be found generally inPCT/JP03/01260 of Dezawa et al. In a preferred embodiment, bFGF, CNTFand FSK are combined with CPCs in cell culture in amounts effective tocause or promote the differentiation of CPCs into neurons or cells thatexhibit one or more characteristics of neurons.

Glial cells are defined as, for the purposes of this invention, beingany of the cells that make up the network of branched cells and fibersthat support the tissue of the central nervous system. Glial cellsinclude, but are not limited to astrocytes, Schwann cells,oligodendrocytes, and microglia.

Genes are defined as, for the purposes of this invention, being a set ofconnected transcripts, wherein a transcript is a set of exons producedvia transcription followed (optionally) by pre-mRNA splicing. Geneproducts are defined as, for the purposes of this invention, beingproteins translated from genes. Portions of genes are defined as, forthe purposes of this invention, being a subset of a gene. Portions ofgene products are defined as, for the purposes of this invention, beinga subset of a gene product.

Patient means an animal, typically a mammal, and more typically, ahuman, that is the subject of medical observation or study.

CPCs produced according to the invention may be administered to patientsthrough a variety of methods, including but not limited to infusionthrough an injection cannula, needle or shunt, or by implantation withina carrier, e.g., a biodegradable capsule, but other routes ofadministration, are also within the scope of the invention. Inventiveroutes of administration comprise local and systemic routes. Localadministration may preferable include administration to targetedportions of the CNS or PNS, and preferably includes intraparenchymalroutes. Systemically routes of administration comprise parenteralroutes, with intravenous (i.v.), or intra-arterial (such as throughinternal or external carotid arteries) administration being preferredroutes of systemic administration. Systemic administration techniquescan be adapted from techniques used to administer precursor cellsgenerally, such as those disclosed in D Lu et al., Intraarterialadministration of marrow stromal cells in a rat model of traumatic braininjury. J Neurotrauma. 2001 August; 18(8):813-9.

Amounts of CPCs administered to a patient may be determined clinically,using conventional dose ranging techniques, and clinical assessments ofa particular patient's disease.

The present invention is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended as singleillustrations of individual aspects of the invention. Many modificationsand variations of this invention can be made without departing from itsspirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Functionally equivalent methods within the scope of the invention, inaddition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilledin the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications andvariations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.The present invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appendedclaims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claimsare entitled.

The Examples set forth below are meant to be illustrative, and in no waylimiting, of the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES Materials and Methods

MASCs: Rat MASCs (Wistar strain) are isolated and cultured as describedin M. Dezawa et al., Sciatic nerve regeneration in rats induced bytransplantation of in vitro differentiated bone-marrow stromal cells.Eur. J. Neurosci. 14, 1771-1776 (2001). As for human MASCs, commerciallypurchased MASCs (PT-2501, BioWhittaker. Walkersville, Md.) and MASCsobtained from healthy donors are used. Cells may be maintained inalpha-MEM (Sigma, M-4526) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS).

In the case of obtaining MASCs from healthy donors, an initial step isto obtain bone marrow aspirate from healthy donors using conventionalaspiration techniques. The cell aspirate is then transferred into a 50ml tube. 13 ml Histopaque is then carefully underlayed, using a 10 mlpipette. The tube is then centrifuged @2000 rpm for 20 minutes. Cells atthe interphase are then harvested. PBS is then added (at least 3× thevolume of the interphase) and the mixture centrifuged @1200 rpm. Thecells are washed twice more with PBS. The cell pellet is thenresuspended in DMEM+10% FCS, and the cells counted. 5×10̂6 cells arereplated per T-75 tissue culture flask, and incubated for 3 days. On day4, the non-adherent cells are removed and the flask washed three timeswith medium. The adherent cells are allowed to grow in the flask. Whenthe cells reach 20-30% confluence, the content of 2-3 flasks are pooledand re-plated in one T-75 flask. When the cells in this pooled reachconfluence, the cells are trypsinized using 0.05% trypsin and 0.02%EDTA. The cells are then washed and counted. The cells are thenresuspended in Sigma alpha MEM+10% FBS (M-4526). In experiments wherelipofection is to be used, it is important to insure that the mediumcontains no I-glu. Glutamine is not added. The cells are expanded for2-4 weeks and are frozen in early passages.

Cell surface markers in rat and human MASCs are analyzed withfluorescence activated cell analysis (FACS). In an embodiment, the MASCsexpress CD29, and CD90, but are negative for CD34, CD31, CD45, CD11b/c,and von Willebrand Factor consistent with M. Pittenger et al.,Multilineage potential of adult human mesenchymal stem cells. Science284, 143-147 (1999); and J. Kohyama et al., Brain from bone: efficient“meta-differentiation” of marrow stroma-derived mature osteoblasts toneurons with Noggin or a demethylating agent. Differentiation 68,235-244 (2001) (FIG. 1A). The same result is obtained byimmunocytochemistry. Adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenicdifferentiation of both rat and human MASCs are confirmed according tothe method described by M. Pittenger et al., Multilineage potential ofadult human mesenchymal stem cells. Science 284, 143-147.

FACS analysis. Cells at a final concentration of 1×10̂7/ml are incubatedwith 1 mg of a monoclonal antibody in phosphate buffered saline (PBS).Incubations may be performed in the presence of 10 mg of mouseimmunoglobulin to prevent nonspecific antibody binding. In rat MASCs,mouse anti-CD34 (Santa Cruz Antibodies) and hamster anti-CD29(PharMingen, San Diego, Calif.) may be labeled with FITC, and controlsmay be incubated either with FITC-labeled anti-mouse or hamster IgG.Mouse anti-CD54 and CD11b/c may be all purchased from PharMingen. Mouseanti-von Willebrand factor and other antibodies needed in the practiceof this invention may be obtained commercially. Controls may includecells stained either with non-immune mouse serum. If these antibodiesare conjugated to FITC, the cells may be subsequently incubated with 1mg of FITC-conjugated anti-mouse IgG. In human MASCs, phycoerythrinlabeled mouse anti-CD34, CD29, CD54, CD11b/c and von Willebrand factormay be used, and controls may include cells stained with phycoerythrinlabeled anti-mouse IgG. Data may be acquired and analyzed on aFACScalibur with CellQuest software (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes,N.J.).

Immunocytochemistry. The general procedure is described in M. Dezawa etal., Sciatic nerve regeneration in rats induced by transplantation of invitro differentiated bone-marrow stromal cells. Eur. J. Neurosci. 14,1771-1776 (2001). After the fixation of cells with 4% paraformaldehydein phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), they are incubated with primaryantibodies for overnight at 4 Deg. C. Antibodies to nestin may bepurchased commercially from PharMingen. Cells may be then incubated withsecondary antibodies to Alexa Fluor 488 or 546 conjugated anti-mouseIgG, IgM, or rabbit IgG (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.) for 1 hour atroom temperature, and TOTO-3 iodide (Molecular Probes) counter stainingmay be performed. Inspections may be made under a confocal laserscanning microscope (Radians 2000, Bio-Rad, Hertfordshire, UK).

Example 1

Human MASCs (PT-2501, BioWhittaker, Walkersville, Md.) were allowed togrow in culture in alpha-MEM containing 10% FBS generally according toE. Sudbeck et al., Structure-based design of specific inhibitors ofJanus kinase 3 as apoptosis-inducing antileukemic agents. Clin. CancerRes. 5, 1569-1582 (1999). The MASCs were incubated with 40 ug/ml4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (WHI-131, Calbiochem,San Diego, Calif.) for two days. The WHI-131 was washed off after 2days.

Example 2

Human MASCs, prepared according to the Materials and Methods section,are allowed to grow in culture in alpha-MEM containing 10% FBS generallyaccording to E. Sudbeck et al., Structure-based design of specificinhibitors of Janus kinase 3 as apoptosis-inducing antileukemic agents.Clin. Cancer Res. 5, 1569-1582 (1999). Once the culture has reached 90%confluence, several RNAs, designed using the BLOCK-iT™ RNAi Designer(Invitrogen) are incubated with the culture for a period of timesufficient to silence Sox9 expression, using BLOCK-iT™ protocolsavailable from Invitrogen. Resulting CPCs are isolated fromuntransdifferentiated MASC's by sequential selection using magneticbeads coated with appropriate antibodies such as anti-EfnB2 (positiveselection for CPCs), anti-CD90 (negative selection for CPCs), andanti-PDGF receptor beta (negative selection for CPCs). The antibodiesand coated beads may be obtained from commercial suppliers. The cells inPBS are incubated with coated beads for 1 hr.@room temperature. Thecell-bound beads are removed using a magnet. The CPCs are washed free ofthe antibody and re-suspended in alpha-MEM containing 10% FBS andallowed to proliferate.

Example 3

Human MASCs, prepared according to the Materials and Methods section,are allowed to grow in culture in alpha-MEM containing 10% FBS generallyaccording to E. Sudbeck et al., Structure-based design of specificinhibitors of Janus kinase 3 as apoptosis-inducing antileukemic agents.Clin. Cancer Res. 5, 1569-1582 (1999). Antisense oligomers to Hes 1 aregenerated according to techniques disclosed in any one of H. Moulton etal., Peptide-assisted delivery of steric-blocking antisense oligomers.Curr Opin Mol Ther. 2003 April; 5(2):123-32; C. Stein et al., Antisenseoligonucleotides as therapeutic agents—is the bullet really magical?Science. 1993 August 20; 261(5124):1004-12; or C. Helene, The anti-genestrategy: control of gene expression bytriplex-forming-oligonucleotides. Anticancer Drug Des. 1991 December;6(6):569-84. Once the MASC culture reaches 90% confluence, the Hes-1antisense oligomers are incubated with the MASCs for a period sufficientto downregulate Hes-1 expression, according to techniques disclosed inany of the three references cited in this example. Resulting CPCs areisolated from untransdifferentiated MASC's by sequential selection usingmagnetic beads coated with appropriate antibodies such as anti-EfnB2(positive selection for CPCs), anti-CD90 (negative selection for CPCs),and anti-PDGF receptor beta (negative selection for CPCs). Theantibodies and coated beads may be obtained from commercial suppliers.The cells in PBS are incubated with coated beads for 1 hr.@roomtemperature. The cell-bound beads are removed using a magnet. The CPCsare washed free of the antibody and re-suspended in alpha-MEM containing10% FBS and allowed to proliferate.

Example 4

Wnt-1 expression plasmids are generated according to M. Sen et al.,Regulation of fibronectin and metalloproteinase expression by Wntsignaling in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes. Arthritis Rheum. 2002November; 46(11):2867-77. Human MASCs, prepared according to theMaterials and Methods section, are allowed to grow in culture inalpha-MEM containing 10% FBS generally according to E. Sudbeck et al.,Structure-based design of specific inhibitors of Janus kinase 3 asapoptosis-inducing antileukemic agents. Clin. Cancer Res. 5, 1569-1582(1999). Once the culture reaches 90% confluence, the MASCs are incubatedwith the Wnt-1 expression plasmids for two days at 37 deg C. and 5% CO2using the Lipofectamine™ 2000 reagent and protocols available fromInvitrogen. After the two days of incubation, the culture is selectedfor transfected cells using conventional selection techniques for aperiod of 10 days. Resulting CPCs are isolated fromuntransdifferentiated MASC's by sequential selection using magneticbeads coated with appropriate antibodies such as anti-EfnB2 (positiveselection for CPCs), anti-CD90 (negative selection for CPCs), andanti-PDGF receptor beta (negative selection for CPCs). The antibodiesand coated beads may be obtained from commercial suppliers. The cells inPBS are incubated with coated beads for 1 hr.@room temperature. Thecell-bound beads are removed using a magnet. The CPCs are washed free ofthe antibody and re-suspended in alpha-MEM containing 10% FBS andallowed to proliferate.

Example 5

The cells produced according to Example 1 were placed in MinimumEssential Medium Alpha Eagle Modification (M4526, Sigma Co.) containing20% fetal bovine serum (14-501 F, Lot #61-1012, BioWhittaker Co.). 5microM of forskolin (344273, Calbiochem, La Jolla, Calif.), 10 ng/ml ofrecombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (100-18B, Peprotech EC,Ltd., London, UK) and 10 ng/ml of ciliary neurotrophic factor (557-NT,R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) were added. The culture was grown for 3days, at which point cells that exhibit one or more characteristics ofneurons were recognized, with the result of 29.46+/−3.0% ofMAP-2ab-positive cells. MAP-2ab was analyzed for using Western blotting,with cell lysates prepared from incubated cells, and 50 ug of lysateproteins electrophoresed on 5% and 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel. Antigensto MAP-2 (1:500, Chemicon) were detected using alkaline phosphatase.

Example 6

The cells that exhibit one or more characteristics of neurons of Example5 are harvested, and grown to 90% confluence in culture in alpha-MEMcontaining 10% FBS generally according to E. Sudbeck et al.,Structure-based design of specific inhibitors of Janus kinase 3 asapoptosis-inducing antileukemic agents. Clin. Cancer Res. 5, 1569-1582(1999). Next, 5 mM of forskolin (344273, Calbiochem), 10 ng/ml of basicfibroblast growth factor (100-18B, Peprotech EC, Ltd.) and 50 ng/ml ofciliary neurotrophic factor (557-NT, R&D Systems) are added to the cellculture.

The cells are grown for ten days in the presence of the neurotrophicagents, and then are analyzed for the characteristic morphology ofneural cells and for positive reaction for antibodies against MAP-2(MAB364, Chemicon), neurofilament (814342, Boehringer Manheim) andnestin (BMS4353, Bioproducts)

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1. A method for making a cell for treatment of a disease of the centralor peripheral nervous system, wherein said cell is obtained by: (a)obtaining a bone marrow sample; (b) isolating cells from the bone marrowsample; (c) incubating the cells in tissue culture; (d) removingnon-adherent cells from the culture to provide a culture of marrowadherent stem cells (MASCs); (e) incubating the MASCs with a JAK/STATinhibitor, wherein the MASCs are not transfected with a polynucleotideencoding the Notch intracellular domain; and (f) isolating, from theculture, a cell that: (i) is mitotic, (ii) expresses EfnB2, (iii)expresses nestin, (iv) does not express CD90, and (v) does not expressPDGF receptor beta.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the marrowadherent stem cells are selected from the group consisting of humanmarrow adherent stem cells, rat marrow adherent stem cells, mouse marrowadherent stem cells, primate marrow adherent stem cells, pig marrowadherent stem cells, cow marrow adherent stem cells, and sheep marrowadherent stem cells.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the marrowadherent stem cells are human marrow adherent stem cells.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of JAK/STAT signal transductioncomprises an inhibitor of STAT1 or STAT3.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the JAK/STAT inhibitor is a polypeptide.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein the incubation comprises transfection of the MASCs with apolynucleotide encoding the JAK/STAT inhibitor.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the JAK/STAT inhibitor is4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: administering, to a subject, one or morecells according to step (f).
 9. An isolated cell, wherein said cell isobtained by: (a) obtaining a bone marrow sample; (b) isolating cellsfrom the bone marrow sample; (c) incubating the cells in tissue culture;(d) removing non-adherent cells from the culture to provide a culture ofmarrow adherent stem cells (MASCs); (e) incubating the MASCs with aJAK/STAT inhibitor, wherein the MASCs are not transfected with apolynucleotide encoding the Notch intracellular domain; and (f)isolating, from the culture, a cell that: (i) is mitotic, (ii) expressesEfnB2, (iii) expresses nestin, (iv) does not express CD90, and (v) doesnot express PDGF receptor beta.
 10. The cell of claim 9, wherein themarrow adherent stem cells are selected from the group consisting ofhuman marrow adherent stem cells, rat marrow adherent stem cells, mousemarrow adherent stem cells, primate marrow adherent stem cells, pigmarrow adherent stem cells, cow marrow adherent stem cells, and sheepmarrow adherent stem cells.
 11. The cell of claim 10, wherein the marrowadherent stem cells are human marrow adherent stem cells.
 12. The cellof claim 9, wherein the inhibitor of JAK/STAT signal transductioncomprises an inhibitor of STAT1 or STAT3.
 13. The cell of claim 9,wherein the JAK/STAT inhibitor is a polypeptide.
 14. The cell of claim13, wherein the incubation comprises transfection of the MASCs with apolynucleotide encoding the JAK/STAT inhibitor.
 15. The cell of claim 9,wherein the JAK/STAT inhibitor is4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline.
 16. A methodcomprising administering the cell of claim 9 to a subject.
 17. Anisolated population of cells descended from marrow adherent stem cells,wherein the population contains a plurality of cells that: (i) aremitotic, (ii) express EfnB2, (iii) express nestin, (iv) do not expressCD90, and (v) do not express PDGF receptor beta; and further whereinsaid marrow adherent stem cells are not transfected with apolynucleotide encoding the Notch intracellular domain.
 18. A methodcomprising administering, to a subject, a cell population according toclaim 17.